Neonatal Nurses' Beliefs, Knowledge, and Practices in Relation to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Risk-Reduction Recommendations. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barsman, Sarah Gutin; Dowling, Donna A.; Damato, Elizabeth G.; Czeck, Pamela; Dowling, Donna
• Is Part Of: Advances in neonatal care. Volume 15:Number 3(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Newborn infants -- Medical care -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Diseases -- Nursing -- Periodicals; Premature infants -- Hospital care -- Periodicals; 618.9201
• DOI: 10.1097/ANC.0000000000000160
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1536-0903

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Background:</title> <p>Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) remains the third leading cause of infant death in the United States and the leading cause of death beyond 1 month of age. In 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released the newest SIDS risk-reduction recommendations, which address healthcare providers in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Little is known about neonatal nurses' SIDS prevention strategies since the release of these newest recommendations.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Purpose:</title> <p>To assess neonatal nurses' beliefs, knowledge, and practices regarding SIDS prevention in both the NICU and step-down transitional care unit (TCU).</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods:</title> <p>A prospective-descriptive design was used. The 33-item SIDS Risk-Reduction Questionnaire was distributed to a convenience sample of nurses in a level III NICU/TCU in the Midwest.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results:</title> <p>Two hundred questionnaires were distributed; 96 (48%) were returned completed. Fifty-three percent of nurses strongly agreed that SIDS recommendations make a difference in preventing SIDS and 20% strongly believed that parents model SIDS prevention practices employed by staff. A majority of nurses correctly identified 2011 recommendations. Sixty-three percent of nurses often or always gave parents verbal information and 28% often or always gave parents written information regarding SIDS. Differences were seen between NICU and TCU nurses concerning beliefs and practices, suggesting that TCU nurses more consistently follow SIDS recommendations.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Implications for Practice:</title> <p>Increased neonatal nursing and parental education regarding SIDS prevention and updated hospital policies promoting safe sleep are paramount.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Implications for Research:</title> <p>Larger multicenter studies in level II/III NICUs are needed to provide further data on SIDS attitudes and practices.</p> </sec> </abstract>